Pages

Monday, April 30, 2012

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be
Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

·Grab
your current read

·Open
to a random page

·Share
two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page ·Be
careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others.

Make sure to share the title and the author so
other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles.

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love. ~From GoodReads

My Teaser ~

"I suppressed a shiver. Jason had this uncanny way of looking at a girl-an intensity that could leave you disoriented and a little lost. He did it without even trying. After three years, I still wasn't completely immune to it." (pg.28 ARC)

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love. ~From GoodReads

HEMLOCK is a dark, twisty tale of secrets and betrayals. Mackenzie has lost her best friend, Amy to a vicious werewolf attack. Her two other best friends, Jason and Kyle, are acting more peculiar by the day. The Trackers have taken over the town of Hemlock, determined to rid the town of werewolves. But when the secrets and lies begin to unravel, Mac learns that everything she knows is a lie.

I'm not sure that I would have picked up HEMLOCK if I hadn't received an ARC from the publisher. There are a few series with werewolves that I truly enjoy, but after reading so many, I was burned out on the notion. What piqued my interest with HEMLOCK and set it apart was the fact werewolves are out in the open. Well, they're not "out", because they are treated cruelly by the government and general population (think internment camps), but they are known to exist. The Lupine Syndrome is an identified affliction. Those identified as werewolves are rounded up and taken to camps where they are treated as the animals some believe they are. The fear they cause, because of a string of werewolf-murders, is used for political gain. So I guess what I'm trying to say here is: HEMLOCK provides a relevant social statement regarding humane treatment and political deception.

But don't think that this is strictly a book with a strong message. There are BOYS in HEMLOCK!! And even better, they're cute, complicated boys with secrets. Jason, Amy's boyfriend has become hostile, withdrawn and drinks way too much since she died. Kyle is obviously tormented, quiet, and protective of Mac. It took me a while to truly warm up to Kyle and Jason. Much of the book is spent in Mac's head as she tries to sort through what's happening. But when I really got to know them, I was hooked. And although I have my favorite (I'm not telling!), both guys have serious appeal. The swoon-factor was topping out throughout the last half of the book!

Oh wow. I haven't even began to talk about the mc, Mac. She has a troubled family history, which leads her to shut others out. She works to keep what's left of her group together after Amy's death. Mac is conscientious and caring, striving to do what's right and just, even when it puts her at risk.

While I was reading HEMLOCK, I was constantly reminded of a movie. I couldn't place it for a while, but finally the light bulbs came on and I realized: Red Riding Hood. Although many details were different, such as the setting and time period, the overall idea was very similar. Personally, I consider that a good thing, as I really enjoyed the movie.

My only criticism is that I felt the story lagged a bit throughout the middle, and there were a few scenes that felt detail-heavy. Overall, though I really enjoyed HEMLOCK. The ending was so heart-wrenching and for some reason, I didn't see it coming. But I loved those "hurt so good" endings and the epilogue has me dying to read book two.

Favorite Quote(s):

"Kyle took a deep breath, like he had picked up on the question I hadn't asked. That was one of the differences between him and Jason: Kyle always gave just as much weight and consideration to the things I didn't say as to the things I did." (pg. 137, ARC)

"Because I did love him. I was certain of it. It was in the way I felt when I looked at him and the taste of his name on my lips and how three years of history had brought us to this point.
I was sure." (pg.269, ARC)

INHALE, an urban fantasy romance by Kendall Grey, is now available in paperback and e-book for Kindle (MOBI) and Nook (EPUB). INHALE is the first book in the JUST BREATHE trilogy. Kendall is donating all profits from the sale of the trilogy to programs that educate people about whales and the challenges they face. Watch the video to find out why.

Kendall encourages interested readers to consider purchasing an e-book instead of a paperback. E-books save trees, cost considerably less, and bring in much more money for the whales.

Thank you for supporting INHALE, and most importantly, the whales that need our help.

Strangers in reality, inseparable in dreams…

After years of suffocating under her boss’s scrutiny, whale biologist Zoe Morgan finally lands a job as director of a tagging project in Hervey Bay, Australia. Success Down Under all but guarantees her the promotion of a lifetime, and Zoe won’t let anything—or anyone—stand in her way. Not the whale voices she suddenly hears in her head, not the ex who won’t take no for an answer, and especially not the gorgeous figment of her imagination who keeps saving her from the fiery hell of her dreams.

Gavin Cassidy hasn’t been called to help a human Wyldling in over a year, which is fine by him. Still blaming himself for the death of his partner, he keeps the guilt at bay by indulging in every excess his rock star persona affords. That is, until he’s summoned to protect Zoe from hungry Fyre Elementals and learns his new charge is the key to restoring order in the dying Dreaming. He never expects to fall for the feisty Dr. Morgan…nor does he realize he may have to sacrifice the woman he loves to save an entire country. ~ From GoodReads

Hi, all! It's blog hop time again! The Spring Fling Giveaway Hop is hosted by Kathy at I Am a Reader Not a Writer and Eve's Fan Garden. You can find all of the participating blogs here.

My Giveaway

What if there were teens whose lives depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.
Tenderhearted Southern girl, Anna Whitt, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.
A cross-country trip to meet her father forces Anna to face the reality that hope and love are not options for her kind. When she confronts her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns? ~From GoodReads

The Rules:

Must be 13+ years of age to enter.

Must fill out the Rafflecopter form. If you have problems, please leave a comment.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

What if there were teens whose lives depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.
Tenderhearted Southern girl, Anna Whitt, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.
A cross-country trip to meet her father forces Anna to face the reality that hope and love are not options for her kind. When she confronts her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns? ~From GoodReads

My faith in the YA paranormal romance genre has recently grown a bit shaky. Instant love connections, reused paranormal elements, and unbelievable characters have played havoc with my patience. To be sure, there are plenty of awesome YA PNR out there, but there are a lot that fall flat for me. So, I was hopeful, but a bit wary when I began SWEET EVIL, despite the hype. I was even skeptical of trusted fellow readers. Could this book really be that good? Yeah, it can and it was. I shut my skeptical mouth after the prologue.

So what was it that I loved about this book?

~Author Wendy Higgins' take on the Nephilim. There are so, so many books with Nephilim. So many that I didn't think I could take one more. But the Nephilim of SWEET EVIL are different. Higgins gave them a particular twist that I hadn't seen before. They are pawns in the struggle between good and evil. They each have a vice that is their "specialty". Those specialties are relevant to the era. There's addictioin, envy, gluttony, vanity, and yes, lust. Which leads me to...

~Kaiden. I loved all of the characters for what they brought to the table. But, Kaiden? He's gorgeous. He's British. His father is a Lust Demon, which makes for some serious sexy times where Kai is concerned. Kai was just...Wow. I am sort of over book jerks. You know, the guys who do nothing but smirk and shoot off at the mouth, which is all a cover for their secret pain. But Kai wasn't that guy. Sure, he can be distant and a bit off-putting, but there's a depth in him that I haven't seen in a lot of book guys lately.

~Anna was well-written, as well. She's a true sweetheart, like a lot of heroines. Anna is an innocent girl thrown into a tumultuous situation. She was kind and thoughtful and did struggle to remain true to herself. She doesn't always say the right thing or make the right decision. A lot of readers complain when the heroine reacts poorly to a situation. I call that realism. Who among us hasn't flipped the eff out when the pooh hits the fan? Now, I'm not one for hand-wringing and obsessive whining, but I like a character who is realistic. Anna is written in such a genuine manner and I adored her throughout the story.

~Lastly, and most importantly, is the writing. I've followed Higgins' story to publishing a bit. I'm so happy SWEET EVIL found a home. The love for her work, the story and the characters, shines brilliantly. Her words flow beautifully, the pacing is perfect, and the story is simply lush and gorgeous. The ending is beautiful torment. I am ecstatic about this book and cannot wait to continue the series. There better be a book two. Please, please buy the book Harper!

This is a gorgeous, seductive book. And just as the title indicates, SWEET EVIL is pure, torturous pleasure.

Favorite Quote:

" 'Because all I could think about was you, Anna, and how good you are, and what you'd think of me. You put thoughts into my head a Neph shouldn't have!' " Poor, tortured Kaiden... (pg. 250, ARC)

I have another cover reveal for you! I am so excited for this book. I've already signed up for the blog tour this summer. The blog tour will run August 6-11. Review blogs that fit the age group and genre interested in participating in the tour may sign-up here. So, here it is...

A total meltdown. The whole school watching. Now Poppy’s an ex-straight-A with no Plan B.
When Poppy Johnson throws away a full scholarship to Columbia, she can only blame the jelly beans. The yucky green ones? Midnight cram sessions and Saturday’s spent studying. The delicious red? The family legacy: Columbia, and a future in finance. Except now it’s starting to look like Poppy’s jelly bean theory is wrong. School has been her life until, but maybe it’s time to start living now.
Poppy has thirty days to try a new life. No school, no studying. Just jumping into every possible world. Thirty days to find her passion, her path, and maybe even love. The Jelly Bean Crisis is officially on.

The beautiful cover was designed by Phatpuppy Art. Gorgeous.

Here is a countdown widget.
<p><p><p><p><p>Your browser does not support iframes.</p>
</p></p></p></p>
You can find author Jolene Stockman at:

I am happy to take part in the cover reveal for CLOSED HEARTS, book two in the MINDJACK TRILOGY. You can find my review for book one, OPEN MINDS, here.

When you control minds, only your heart can be used against you.
Eight months ago, Kira Moore revealed to the mindreading world that mindjackers like herself were hidden in their midst. Now she wonders if telling the truth was the right choice after all. As wild rumors spread, a powerful anti-jacker politician capitalizes on mindreaders’ fears and strips jackers of their rights. While some jackers flee to Jackertown—a slum rife with jackworkers who trade mind control favors for cash—Kira and her family hide from the readers who fear her and jackers who hate her. But when a jacker Clan member makes Kira’s boyfriend Raf collapse in her arms, Kira is forced to save the people she loves by facing the thing she fears most: FBI agent Kestrel and his experimental torture chamber for jackers.

Susan Kaye Quinn grew up in California, where she wrote snippets of stories and passed them to her friends during class. She pursued a bunch of engineering degrees and worked a lot of geeky jobs, including turns at GE Aircraft Engines, NASA, and NCAR. Now that she writes novels, her business card says "Author and Rocket Scientist" and she doesn't have to sneak her notes anymore. All that engineering comes in handy when dreaming up paranormal powers in future worlds or mixing science with fantasy to conjure slightly plausible inventions. Susan writes from the Chicago suburbs with her three boys, two cats, and one husband. Which, it turns out, is exactly as much as she can handle.Way too often, you can find Susan on her blog, facebook, and twitter.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

THE WEEKLY REWIND is something new I'm going to do here on Sundays. Although, I'm not following any specific format, this was inspired by a few different blogs: For What It's Worth , Book Brats and Xpresso Reads. In the Round-up, I will be showing the books and bookish items received in the past week and recap of the week's posts and giveaways.

Friday, April 27, 2012

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.
When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.
Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again. ~From GoodReads

"Would you risk your life for love?"

(Good grief. That's a hideous frame.)

Favorite Quote:

" 'You're the one who took the bite out of the apple, Kate. Although with a serpent that handsome, I can't say I blame you.' " (pg. 89)

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her. ~From GoodReads

Set against the backdrop of plague-ridden humanity, MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH, is nothing less than stunning. And I would expect no less from a book based on the classic by Edgar Allen Poe. The world has gone to hell. The wealthy wear masks to protect themselves. The poor are left defenseless. Carts roll through the streets collecting bodies. Prince Prosperous rules through fear and intimidation. But when Araby finds the opportunity to help bring about new hope for humanity, can she do it, despite the risks?

Author Griffin paints a morose, depressing, stunning portrait of a world gone nearly mad. I felt utterly entrenched in the story, the stakes involved. The sheer hopelessness and desperation that threaten to overwhelm main character, Araby Worth, is palpable. I found myself covering my own mouth as Araby ventured into the open, dangerous outdoors. I wanted to cover myself in clothes so I couldn't be infected by the Red Death. [sidenote: I tend to get a little too involved in books. My kids, like most little ones, are germy little creatures. But I'm fairly certain they don't carry the plague.]

The social statement of MASQUE was obvious, and relevant. Much like real-life tyrants (I'm thinking Hussein, Kim Jong-Il), Prince Prospero is living a life of grandiose proportions while the poor suffer. I was struck by the decadence in the midst of chaos. The activities in the Debauchery Club were almost sickening in the face of the disaster outside the doors.
And although I enjoyed the story, I was also bothered. It's a case, though, of "It's Not You, It's Me". The story had to be depressing. It had to be harsh and cruel. But I found myself being drug down into a depressive spiral. I had to take breaks, gain my bearings, and dive back in. That's actually a compliment to Griffin, to her ability to pull readers in and shroud them in the emotions of the characters.

Now for the guys. You know I couldn't leave Will and Elliott out, right? I've seen many, many conversations debating the hotness of Will vs. Elliott. And that's going to cue a mini-rant. *deep breath* Elliott? Come on. Yes, I know he is very emotionally damaged. And he's complicated. But when a guy tells you not to trust him, says he would kill you if it meant gaining an advantage, and goes so far as threatening to prove his point? LISTEN TO HIM. Don't over think it, ladies, or make excuses. Run for the hills and don't look back. Having said that, his character did make strides towards become a less horrible person, but I don't know if I could ever root for him. Ever. Now for Will. Ninety-five percent of the time, I loved him. He was tragic, and beautiful and wonderful. His big flaw is actually not his fault, nothing I could blame him for. Make sense? I didn't think so. :-) So I guess if I had to choose a "Team", I would undoubtedly be "Team Will", but not very enthusiastic.

MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH has all the elements of a hit: tragic, flawed, but engaging characters; a gripping, suspenseful story; strong, beautiful writing. It's an intense story of deception, chaos, love and possible redemption. Ultimately, MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH is a book the reading community will love. Of that, I have no doubt.

Favorite Quote:

"One white flower blooms on the vine.

'It only opens at midnight, and only for a few hours, when the full moon is directly overhead. Maybe someone planted it here before the plague, when the world was hopeful. At the end of the day, after sweeping the floors and cleaning up the vomit, I come here. It reminds me that there are still beautiful things.' "(pg. 105-6, ARC)

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

After years of suffocating under her boss’s scrutiny, whale biologist Zoe Morgan finally lands a job as director of a tagging project in Hervey Bay, Australia. Success Down Under all but guarantees her the promotion of a lifetime, and Zoe won’t let anything—or anyone—stand in her way. Not the whale voices she suddenly hears in her head, not the ex who won’t take no for an answer, and especially not the gorgeous figment of her imagination who keeps saving her from the fiery hell of her dreams.

Gavin Cassidy hasn’t been called to help a human Wyldling in over a year, which is fine by him. Still blaming himself for the death of his partner, he keeps the guilt at bay by indulging in every excess his rock star persona affords. That is, until he’s summoned to protect Zoe from hungry Fyre Elementals and learns his new charge is the key to restoring order in the dying Dreaming. He never expects to fall for the feisty Dr. Morgan…nor does he realize he may have to sacrifice the woman he loves to save an entire country. ~ From GoodReads

Inhale is the first book in the Just Breathe series by debut author Kendall Grey. Zoe Morgan, whale researcher and advocate, haunted by the tragic events of a past research trip, heads to Australia with her team for the opportunity of a lifetime. Gavin Cassidy, Australian rock star and Sentinel, has spent the time since his last partner’s tragic death in a haze of booze and sex. Doubtful of his ability to ever be an active Sentinel again, Gavin is happy to stay in the Realis, away from the responsibility the Dreaming requires of him. But the Dreaming has other plans and when these two damaged souls together, their fate and the world’s is changed forever.

Okay. This review is going to be so, so tough. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to write this review in a concise, cohesive manner without fan-girling all over the place, and it’s a tough job. When Grey sent me the book, I was so curious, based on the synopsis, that I had to open it up right away. I didn’t know what to expect, to be honest. I mean, what is the “Dreaming” and the “Realis”? And what the heck is a Sentinel? What they are, what the entire concept is, is the inventive, invigorating shot in the ass that the urban fantasy genre needs.

I know you probably want or expect me to explain what exactly Inhale is about. Truth is, I can’t even begin to explain the world the author has created. And…I don’t want to. But, WOW, what an amazing concept! I want each and every reader to go into Inhale like I did, with no preconceived ideas, no one over explaining and telling you what to expect. Just dive in and prepare to be blown away.

Lest you think I’m a tease, I will share what I can about Inhale. The characters. Let me start with Zoe Morgan. What an amazing heroine. I want to be Zoe when I grow up! She’s pretty much a badass, a scientist who spends her life researching and protecting whales. How freaking cool, right? She is willing to take on anyone and anything to protect the creatures so beloved to her. But, Zoe has her fair share of problems, too. Raised by her emotionally distant, impossible to please scientist mother, Zoe feels as if she’ll never be good enough. Combine that emotional damage with the loss of a baby whale and a disaster of a relationship with her boss, Zoe is ripe for redemption. Despite the fact she is down, Zoe never becomes pathetic or whiny. She keeps moving forward, bit by bit, inching towards her future.

Which leads me to Gavin. So help me, I want a Gavin Cassidy of my own. That man… Just thinking about him has reduced me to sentence fragments! I can’t think of another fictional guy lately who has gotten under my skin quite like Gavin (and that’s saying a lot because I’m constantly falling for the fake guys). Gavin is layered and complicated. On the outside, he’s swagger and sex appeal. I mean, seriously, what’s hotter than a tattooed rock star, an Australian one, no less? Can you even imagine? But when you get to know him, when the author takes you inside his head, that’s when the real Gavin Cassidy truly shines. Because, for as much appeal as he has on the outside, the heart of Gavin will make you fall in love. Yeah, he's sexy and he knows exactly what to do to make almost any woman melt, but he always has a sweet, tender nature inside of him. The man has a gooey soft center. Honestly, what is sexier than a man who can literally have any woman he wants, but wants the woman who stands apart from the rest; the one who can stand toe-to-toe with him and take on the fury of the Elements?

Any good adult urban fantasy must contain smoking hot chemistry between the lead characters, in my opinion. Kendall Grey delivered. When Gavin and Zoe were together, simply talking or working together, it was lively and fun. But the chemistry between the two? Good gosh. Let’s just say, I had to fan myself off after reading some of their more “invigorating” scenes. Check. Mate.

Here is the gist of what makes Inhale such a stand-out book: plain and simple, the writing. As much as I loved the concept, and the characters, what really blew my mind was Kendall Grey’s ability to immerse me so fully into this world that I didn’t know or understand, and she made me care. I fell in love with the concepts of the story, I was invested in the outcome. Readers (myself included) are constantly harping on the issue of showing vs. telling. Never once in this book did Grey rely on using the character words to do her work. She did a brilliant job of using each word to convey what the reader needed to know. The characters never said “I feel”, they didn’t have to. There was never a question of their thoughts or feelings, not with amazing lines like this:

“He ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek, and pity pin-balled inside his rib cage until it knocked a hole through the floor of his stomach.”

That is gorgeous, poetic writing, plain and simple. Gavin doesn’t need to say a word describing his feelings. With a line like that, what more is there to say? Each paragraph of every page contains a beautiful gem like that. It made reading the book a wonderful, sensory-filled experience that I feel so lucky to have had.

Inhale is rich and intricate, but not overly complicated. The story is woven in such a magnificent manner, with little pieces coming back together in ways that I never expected. The story stole my attention, and my emotions. I loved the characters, their inner working, their relationships to one another. I only talked about Gavin and Zoe. But Inhale contains many characters, good and evil, who will make you smile, shake your head, and scream. I had no idea how the story would end. I knew, that as the beginning of a trilogy, the ending wouldn’t be completely water tight. It had to be open-ended to some extent. And, to be sure, there is plenty more story to be told. But I was shocked by the complete and satisfying manner in which Grey ended Inhale. As a reader, I was elated and completely satisfied, and hungry for more. I haven’t been this excited over a new series in quite some time.

Favorite Quote:

(I had a terrible time narrowing me selection down. The writing is beautiful and funny, with tons of worthy quotes to choose from.)

“Water Elements or not, when the Dreaming called, he came running like the bitch he was. Or innocent people woke up dead.”

“He’d face an army of Fyres by himself, walk into the bloody sun if he had to, but don’t ask him to hold her. He’d never be able to let go.”

Expected publication: May 1st 2012 by Howling Mad Press

Source: Received from author for review.

Giveaway

I am Kendall generously donated two copies Kindle copies of INHALE to two winners.

Th

You must be 18+ years of age to enter.

You must live in a country that allows you to receive kindle books via Amazon.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming
releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection
is...

"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.
"An edgy romance that pulls you in and never lets go. I was hooked!"-Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author of the Intertwined series
So wrong for each other...and yet so right.
No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible. Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again. ~ From GoodReads

"When the one thing you live for is taken from you, do you let it go or do you fall?
Jade, like any other student at Brushwood High, awaits the start of the school year with a certain measure of dread. Worse, she is being threatened by a voice that only she can hear—a voice that lurks at the edges of her awareness, haunting her and warning her of something unknown. She has always been able to count on her two best friends, Claire and Nate, but can she confide in them now? About this? Would they even believe her?
Life takes a turn for the better when she meets Avan, a darkly handsome new student who, somehow, seems to drown out the voice and make her feel at ease.
But Jade soon comes to realize that good things don’t last forever. When everything spirals out of control, she is shattered by something she never saw coming. Dazed and despairing, she must now overcome tragedy and embrace her true existence and a new but dangerous love. Will she be able to save herself and those she loves, before it’s too late? Or will she let the surrounding darkness consume her?"

FEATHERMORE, by Lucy Swing, is the story of Jade, her journey of discovery about herself and the hidden world around her. Jade's path is tumultuous, filled with love, pain and loss. Will she survive?
I have to start by saying, I feel like I've read this story before. But this may be my fault. I feel really torn about this and I talked about it with a fellow blogger. We read so many books. Here's how insane I am: I've read SIXTY-ONE books so far in 2012. It's April. Granted, some of those are novellas, but still. Sixty-one. That's just too many. And when you read as many books as some of us do, they start to run together. Especially when the stories follow the same path. So how this ties in with my review is this: avid readers need/want to be Wow'd. And it needs to happen fairly quickly in the story. Otherwise, they blend together. To sum it up, while I liked the story in general, because it didn't feel new to me, I didn't get overly excited about it.

So back to FEATHERMORE. And I'll try to do this with no spoilers. It does follow a fairly typical path for young adult paranormal books. Jade is a quiet, sweet girl with a problem, she hears a voice in her head. Enter Avan, a mysterious new guy with whom Jade feels a quick connection. Jade learns that things aren't even close to what they seem and she is set on a dangerous path. She must learn to embrace her new life.

While the general premise isn't new, I have to give the author major credit for her writing. The writing is very easy to get lost in and the flow of her words is excellent. And it's easy to see that she put so much thought and love into her story. The lore behind her premise is detailed and interesting, without being overly complicated. I found the last half of the book to be fairly exciting and the ending was definitely a heartbreaking cliffhanger that will leave you dying to read book two in the series, FALLENMORE.

Favorite Quote:

"The warmth that came from his body made me feel at home, as if, somehow, this was where I belonged. He smelled of woods after a thunderstorm, clean and elemental." (ebook, pg. 103)

Monday, April 23, 2012

Welcome to The Bookish Babe's stop on the "WHISPER: Fact or Fiction Blog Tour". You may or may not know that I have major love for author Heather Hildenbrand and her books. So I am very happy to take part in this tour. Today I have a "Fact or Fiction" guest post from Heather, followed by a giveaway of WHISPER. I hope to read it for myself very soon. But first, take a look at the book.

The Cherokee believe when a person dies, their soul is reborn. Life is repeated. An endless cycle of lessons to be learned, love to be found, destiny to be fulfilled. For the past six months, in every flower, every bird, I’ve imagined my parents, relieved of their human forms. Now, after five months at the Skye View Wellness Center, it was summer. A time for parties and friends, but that’s the last thing I want to do. So when my best friend Erin convinces me to attend a bonfire at Eagle Point, I can’t handle the crowd full of sympathetic stares or drunken class clowns who would use my tragedy as a way into my heart – or my pants. The solitude of the woods offers an escape, until I stumble upon a boy, unconscious and bleeding, his pockets stuffed not with identification but with poetry illustrating the beauty of dying. I’ve seen enough death. I will not leave this boy’s side. Even after he wakes, when the only thing he can remember are visions of events that haven’t happened yet…

Now, "Fact or Fiction"!

Smudge Sticks? – Fact. Cherokee, and other Indian tribes, have used smudge sticks for many years in cleansing rituals. The end of the stick was lit with the central or cooking fire and waved about. Also known as a “smoke bath” because the person conducting the ritual would bathe the area in smoke. Different herbs were used, depending on the intended purpose. Most smudge sticks were made out of dried herbs tied together.

“Smudging is the burning of certain herbs to create a cleansing smoke bath, which is used to purify people, ceremonial and ritual space, and ceremonial tools and objects.”

So obviously the whole smudge stick thing isn’t a fact for me, per se. But it exists in many Native American cultures. And it doesn’t take much stretch of the imagination to get from “smudge stick rituals” to “magic.” #AnythingIsPossible

The Giveaway! ﻿

Heather is giving one lucky reader an ebook of WHISPER. Just enter the easy peasy form below.

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be
Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

·Grab
your current read

·Open
to a random page

·Share
two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page ·Be
careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for
others.

Make sure to share the title and the author so
other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles.

Courtesy of watching his mom’s relationships, Sebastian Hawkins knows what girls need to do to get a guy. He has what he considers a PHD in hooking up. When he needs extra cash for a car, Sebastian starts up an online venture as The Hook-up Doctor, to anonymously help girls land the guy of their dreams. Of course, his services don’t offer a happily-ever-after guarantee. He’s seen firsthand getting together never means staying together.
And then he falls in love…
With the last girl he would expect…
Totally not in his game plan.
Suddenly, Sebastian finds himself muddled in the game he’s always prided himself on. He can’t even pick up girls at parties anymore! Why would anyone want to be in love when it turns you into a stuttering, screwed-up, mess with really lame stalker tendencies? Stalking? Totally not his gig.
But the Hook-up Doctor won’t let himself go down easily. He’s always known how to give a girl what she wants and now it’s time to figure out what a boy wants… and he definitely plans on getting it. ~ From Goodreads

My Teaser(s) ~
“I had to drink my first cup of soy milk with her. People bond over that shit.” (ebook, 11%)

“It's okay.' I rubbed my stomach.'These abs have been known to bring down much tougher girls. I won't tell anyone you want me.” (ebook, 28%)

“Just touching her like this. Holding her face as our bodies touched everywhere made me feel like a freakin' rock star.” (ebook, 61%)

Okay, I know I cheated with all these teasers. I'm just so excited about this book. You can find my review, along with a GIVEAWAY HERE!

Courtesy of watching his mom’s relationships, Sebastian Hawkins knows what girls need to do to get a guy. He has what he considers a PHD in hooking up. When he needs extra cash for a car, Sebastian starts up an online venture as The Hook-up Doctor, to anonymously help girls land the guy of their dreams. Of course, his services don’t offer a happily-ever-after guarantee. He’s seen firsthand getting together never means staying together.
And then he falls in love…
With the last girl he would expect…
Totally not in his game plan.
Suddenly, Sebastian finds himself muddled in the game he’s always prided himself on. He can’t even pick up girls at parties anymore! Why would anyone want to be in love when it turns you into a stuttering, screwed-up, mess with really lame stalker tendencies? Stalking? Totally not his gig.
But the Hook-up Doctor won’t let himself go down easily. He’s always known how to give a girl what she wants and now it’s time to figure out what a boy wants… and he definitely plans on getting it. ~ From Goodreads

So... first off, I want to thank anyone and everyone who encouraged (possibly bullied) me into reading WHAT A BOY WANTS. Because, seriously? This book rocked me. I was coming very close to falling into a reading slump. With this one book, author Nyrae Dawn has placed herself on my "must-read-now" list.

Enter this little gem of a book. WHAT A BOY WANTS was exactly what my heart and overloaded brain needed. It was so easy to read. But when I say easy, I don't mean that it was simple. Going in, I thought I knew exactly what would happen. And yeah, I did guess some things. But, I was definitely surprised by a lot. And Sebastian had to WORK for his (maybe!) happy ending.

Sebastian....<imagine a swooning,giggling teenage girl> How can I adequately describe him and the effect he's having on those of us who've read the book? After a lively discussion with Valerie at Stuck in Books and Amber (@ReadingAddict17) , it was termed "The Bastian Effect". He's adorable, err... handsome. I mean, look at that cover. He has an EYEBROW RING!! And the HAIR!! But besides the obvious, he's really great boy. He's fiercely protective of his mom, super devoted to his small circle of friends, and just an all around cool dude. I love his candor, his outward assured demeanor, and the vulnerabilities that lie beneath the swagger.

Sebastian's circle of friends was the kind of group we all wish to be part of. Jaden's demeanor gives the appearance of a guy with only one thing on his mind: hot chicks. But a closer look reveals a guy who'd do anything for his friends, but also a boy who may need his friends more than ever in the future. Pris was often a comic relief when things got heavy. She's a trip, and I look forward to knowing her better in the future. Aspen. This girl was awesome. She's literally the girl next door. Sweet, kind, generous...but she also doesn't take any crap. Aspen is nobody's pushover and a force in her own right.

WHAT A BOY WANTS offered my very favorite things in a book: a quick, easy to read pace; loads of laughs; characters I want to befriend and who experience true growth. I honestly loved every little piece of this book. It has made me so, so happy and put a huge smile on my face. I can't wait to read Nyrae Dawn's next book, from Jaden's point of view, WHAT A BOY NEEDS. <cue the squees!>

Favorite Quote(s):

“Here was my epicness, because despite how things turned out, I wouldn't be anywhere else. I wouldn't want anyone else to take care of her. To watch her sleep.” (ebook, 40%)

“My skin tingled a little where she touched me. I was totally aware of that one spot more than I'd been aware of anything in my whole life. I didn't know if I wanted the feeling to go away or to feel it forever.” (ebook, 45%)

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Welcome to The Bookish Babe's stop on the MEETING DESTINY Blog Tour. Today I have a guest post from author Nancy Straight, along with an excerpt of MEETING DESTINY, followed by a giveaway. So, let's get to it. Here's Nancy!

What I Like To Read

I like to read so much, it’s difficult to pigeon hole it into a single genre. When I read for pleasure, I most often pick up Paranormal Romance or Urban Fantasy. I find that in the real world, most of my close friends are very strong women, and that affinity feeds into the types of fiction I prefer. I like heroines that are able to stand toe-to-toe with pure evil and come out swinging; and if that same heroine happens to fall in love with a big hunky guy I know I’m hooked! Books that make my heart race, palms sweat, a tear fall or a laugh while I’m still reading at 2 a.m. quickly find their way to my list of favorites. Experiencing physical reactions or real emotions via fictional characters has always been a source of pure joy for me and my gage on whether I like or love a story.
I am opposed to weak heroines, those that seem to let events happen to them, or routinely require rescuing. In the real world we’re all in charge of our own destinies – fictional characters should be just as strong as real women. J
Books that are in my “all time favorites” include: Shelly Crane’s Significance Series, Shannon Dermott’s Campion Series, Charlotte Abel’s Channie Series and Nicole Williams’ Eden Series. Right now I’m reading Rachael Higginson’s Star-crossed Series, I can already tell that this, too, will be one of my all time favorites! Each of the heroines in these series made tough choices, good and bad decisions, and all had the most heart-felt love interest that was more than willing to jump in head first to any battle that presented itself. I loved these books!

Thanks for sharing, Nancy! I love to learn what books capture author's attention. Plus, I get some great book recommendations.

Lauren is visited in her dreams for years by a stranger claiming to be her destiny. Destiny becomes reality when paths cross during a failed robbery attempt. Lauren and the stranger experience chemistry like no other and now her doubt over her long time relationship with her high school sweetheart is not her only secret…someone else knows about her keen intuition and sixth sense.A mysterious clairvoyant seeks Lauren out and tells her not only of her life now but what the future may hold. Soon Lauren is in the middle of a murder investigation and a questionable friendship with the key suspect. Law enforcement, friends and family are concerned for Lauren but unfortunately they are unaware of the true danger…Sinister forces are at work and will stop at nothing to destroy Lauren’s abilities.~From GoodReads

Excerpt

“I know this isn’t the best place, and I understand if you tell me no, but if I don’t ask, it’s going to drive me crazy.I was wondering if you feel anything weird around me?”This sounded so strange, but I didn’t know how best to articulate my question.I needed to know if it was only my imagination.

Max looked me straight in the eye, “Weird, like what?”

I felt the flush of embarrassment on my cheeks as I asked quietly, “Like, chemistry, a little?”

Max stood still as a statue staring at me sitting almost straight up in my bed.His smile faded a little as he leaned into me and whispered, “You mean like this?” He softly slid his hand behind my head, pulling my lips up to his.Gentle at first, then increased intensity until I found that I had wrapped both my arms around him, wires protruding from every direction, and my entire body tingled.I grew lightheaded as he eased his face away from mine.He gently lowered my head back to my pillow and moved his hand to my face.Max traced my lips with his index finger.After a few outlines of my lips, he responded quietly, “Chemistry, huh?No, I hadn’t noticed.”His wide smile reappeared with a vengeance.

My heart monitor went crazy, jumping well into the 100s as an alarm blared to life as if to tell the world what had just happened.Max reached over and pushed a button on the monitor and the alarm muted instantly.As he leaned in for what I was sure was going to be just as passionate as our first kiss, his pocket beeped.

Max stopped, rolled his eyes and fished in his pocket, pulling out his blackberry.He looked at the screen with disappointment in his eyes.“Hey, we just got a call.I really have to go.Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for continuing this conversation tomorrow, but I really can’t stay.”

“I’d like that, too,” unable to say anything else.

He kissed my cheek, “I can’t wait to tell Missy about tonight.Bye.”Max darted out the door as he sprinted off to save someone’s life.The jealous part of me hoped he was being called to help an old fat man.